Before Treating Stains, Investigate Source

September 2, 2005|By Paul Roth Orlando Sentinel

Q. Could you address pool stains? Our 3-year-old pool looks dirty all the time, and I'm guessing it is iron stains.

A. First, be sure of what you have. Is it an iron stain or something else? It is important that your water is maintained properly and in balance. Is your test kit accurate? Make sure the reagents have not expired, which could produce incorrect readings and affect your ability to maintain proper water balance. New reagents cost less than $5 per bottle.

Have you tried a topical-stain kit to identify what you believe is a stain? The kits cost around $30 and can identify many common stains. Stains may be caused by many sources, including tap water that has been added, chlorine-generating systems, heaters and metal fixtures in the pool. Each must be examined to determine the cause of your problem so that you can find an effective solution.

"Recurring stain problems generally require the use of a sequestering agent to suspend the metal particles into the water as opposed to on the pool's interior surface, so that the pool's filtering system can remove the unwanted substance," says Janell Renshaw, owner of Seaquest Pool Systems of Orlando.

Most often, addition of the agent becomes part of the normal monthly pool service to maintain proper water chemistry. They may cost up to $35 per quart, and they can last several months. This product is available through pool service professionals and retail stores.

Organic staining sometimes can be removed with acidic pool stain removal products. The worst-case scenario would be to drain the pool and acid-wash the interior surface. This should be done as a last resort and only by a licensed and trained pool professional who has pool-popping insurance and the knowledge to prevent the shell or structure of the pool from lifting out of the ground when empty.

Questions are answered by Paul Roth of Roll-A-Way Protective Pool Fence in Orlando. He is a member of the National Spa and Pool Institute -- Central Florida Chapter, an industry trade group. Address questions to In the Swim, Orlando Sentinel, MP-240, P.O. Box 2833, Orlando, FL 32802.